Uzchess: Revolutionizing Chess in Uzbekistan with Passion, Education, and Innovation
Inspiring a nation through education, innovation, and global collaborations, Uzchess is empowering the next generation of chess talent.
By
Sep 3, 2025
The Underdogs’ Victory: A New Era in Uzbek Chess
NATIONWIDE - SEPTEMBER 2025 - (USAnews.com) — In 2022, the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai set the stage for an unforgettable story. Among the many seasoned national teams, Uzbekistan arrived as a young and relatively unknown squad. With a roster that included rising stars like GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov, GM Javokhir Sindarov, GM Nodirbek Yakubboev, GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov, and GM Jakhongir Vakhidov, few gave them much chance of success. While some of the players were making their debut on the grand international stage, their youth was still seen as a potential disadvantage
Despite their inexperience, Uzbekistan’s team defied expectations early on by winning their first three matches. The real turning point, however, came in Round 4, when the underdogs held the mighty United States, one of the pre-tournament favorites, to a hard-fought draw. From that moment, the chess world began to take notice of this young, determined team.
The drama reached its peak on the final day, when Uzbekistan faced India’s second team. The match began with high tension. On the top board, GM Abdusattorov found himself in a losing position against the formidable Gukesh D, who would go on to become the reigning World Champion. Yet, under immense time pressure, Gukesh made several blunders, and Abdusattorov, through sheer perseverance, turned the game around. His win, alongside the rest of the team’s efforts, secured a team draw that was enough to clinch the gold medal for Uzbekistan.
That remarkable victory, against all odds, inspired a nation. Across Uzbekistan, parents began enrolling their children in chess clubs, eager to nurture the next generation of talent. However, while the major cities had chess schools and clubs, rural areas lacked similar opportunities. A solution was urgently needed.
The Birth of Uzchess: A Vision to Make Chess Accessible for All
In the wake of this historic victory, Alisher Sadullayev, the Senator, Director of the Uzbekistan Youth Affairs Agency, and at that time, the head of the Uzbekistan Chess Federation, proposed the creation of a national initiative to capitalize on the momentum. The idea was simple yet revolutionary: make chess accessible to everyone, everywhere in Uzbekistan
Media entrepreneur Ulug’bek Ismatov was appointed as CEO of the project, and his leadership transformed the vision into reality. The Uzchess project was born, aiming to provide free, high-quality chess education and content to the nation, from the largest cities to the most remote villages. The mission was clear: promote chess as a tool for both intellectual and cultural development, while ensuring the sport’s accessibility to all.
Uzchess quickly became a pivotal force in the country’s chess revolution. The team’s commitment to providing high-quality educational content, live event coverage, and grassroots initiatives resonated deeply with the Uzbek people. The organization soon expanded its reach, building a community around the game and delivering relevant content in the Uzbek language, a move that set them apart from other chess media outlets.
Creating Content for the Nation: A Digital Revolution
At the core of Uzchess’s rapid growth was its ability to produce engaging and educational content tailored to the needs of the local audience. The team wasted no time, launching free video lessons, live chess streams, and recaps of major tournaments. Some of the streams drew large audiences even at 2 a.m., showcasing the demand and passion for chess among Uzbekistan’s growing fanbase.
One of Uzchess's standout achievements was the launch of the Uzchess mobile app. Within just a year of its release, the app gained tremendous popularity, reaching over 500,000 users by August 2025. It was clear that the demand for chess content was strong, and Uzchess was meeting this demand with a level of dedication and innovation rarely seen in regional chess communities.
Collaboration with Super Grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov: Elevating Uzbek Chess
One of the most exciting developments for Uzchess came through a groundbreaking collaboration with Super Grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov, one of the top young players in the world. This partnership led to the creation of the first-ever Uzbek-language chess lessons with the grandmaster, providing an unprecedented opportunity for Uzbek players to learn directly from one of the world’s best.
In addition to Sindarov, all the teachers filming video lessons with Uzchess are at least International Masters, with many being Grandmasters, including notable figures like Ortik Nigmatov and Abdumalik Abdusalimov. This collaboration helped solidify Uzchess’s status as a leader in chess education, offering high-level content in a language that was both accessible and relatable to the local community. Through their partnerships, Uzchess not only offered valuable insights into chess strategy but also elevated the country’s reputation in the international chess community
A Commitment to Youth Development: Building Tomorrow’s Chess Stars
Uzchess is deeply committed to nurturing young talent, understanding that the future of Uzbek chess lies in the hands of its youth. One of the key initiatives in this effort is the Uzchess Bolajonlar Kubogi, a series of offline youth tournaments that provides young players with a platform to showcase their skills and gain exposure. This initiative has been instrumental in building the next generation of champions.
Uzchess’s focus on youth development extends to its Uzchess Media Ligasi, a unique project that brought together influencers and bloggers to play chess and further popularize the game. This approach not only attracted a younger audience but also helped create a chess-loving culture that extends beyond the traditional chess community. The coverage of the influencers has reached over 1 million, significantly expanding the game's reach and impact.
International Competitions: Putting Uzbekistan on the Global Chess Map
The Uzchess Cup, one of the flagship events of the organization, is another example of how Uzchess is playing a key role in raising Uzbekistan’s profile in the international chess scene. The 2025 edition, held in Tashkent, featured chess heavyweights such as Praggnandha, Arjun, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Abdusattorov, and Sindarov, signaling to the world that Uzbekistan was now a serious player on the global chess stage.
Pioneering Chess Coverage: A New Standard in Media
Another defining feature of Uzchess is its ability to provide comprehensive, localized coverage of major chess events. During the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz 2023 held in Samarkand, Uzchess led the charge in providing live coverage in the Uzbek language. This was a significant achievement, as it allowed chess fans in Uzbekistan to follow one of the biggest events of the year in their native language, boosting both accessibility and engagement.
This focus on localizing content has allowed Uzchess to carve out a unique niche in the global chess media landscape. Rather than simply repackage international coverage, Uzchess has made the game feel close to home, resonating deeply with the Uzbek audience. With the Grand Slam Tour 2025 set to take place in Samarkand and the 2026 Chess Olympiad being held in Uzbekistan, the country’s chess scene is poised for even greater international visibility
What Makes Uzchess Different?
What truly distinguishes Uzchess from its competitors is its localized approach. While many global chess platforms focus on a broad, often impersonal audience, Uzchess tailors its content specifically for the people of Uzbekistan. By collaborating with local grandmasters like Sindarov, hosting youth tournaments, and providing free educational resources, Uzchess has positioned itself as the go-to platform for anyone passionate about chess in Uzbekistan.
Under the leadership of the dedicated team behind the project, Uzchess has not only made a profound impact on the chess scene but has also created a community of players, coaches, and enthusiasts all united by a common goal: to grow and promote the game of chess across the nation. The team’s collective efforts, from content creation to organizing events and engaging with the community, have been integral in making Uzchess a driving force in the country’s chess revolution
Join the Chess Revolution
As Uzchess continues to expand and innovate, the opportunity to get involved has never been greater. Whether you’re a budding chess player eager to learn from the best or a fan excited about major events, Uzchess offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the game in a fresh and dynamic way. Stay up-to-date with their latest content and initiatives by following them on social media or subscribing to their YouTube channel.
Visit Uzchess’s social media to join the chess revolution:
